The Guide to College Football Game Day in LA

The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins are kicking off the 2025 college football season on Saturday, August 30! This will be the second year that the two schools are part of the Cities of the Big Ten.

For alumni and visiting fans alike, Discover LA has your game day sorted with stadium info, tailgating options, nearby attractions and more.

Centrally located to the LA Coliseum and the Rose Bowl, the home stadiums of the Trojans and Bruins, respectively, Downtown LA is the ideal hub for your visit. Come for the game, stay for the weekend!

Since opening in June 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has become one of the world’s greatest sports venues, home to world-class athletes and legendary games. The Coliseum has also hosted numerous historic figures and countless special events. It is the only facility in the world to host two Olympiads (X and XXIII), two Super Bowls (I and VII), one World Series (1959), a Papal Mass, and visits by three U.S. Presidents: John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. The Coliseum will add to this illustrious record in 2028 when LA hosts the XXXIV Olympiad. The Coliseum was declared a National Historic Landmark on July 27, 1984.

LOCATION
The LA Coliseum is located at Exposition Park, across the street from the campus of the University of Southern California (USC). The Coliseum is adjacent to BMO Stadium, the home of LAFC and Angel City FC.

Located about four miles southwest of Downtown LA, Exposition Park is the site of the California African American Museum, California Science Center and the Natural History Museum. Exposition Park will also be the future home of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, opening in 2026.

The Coliseum and Exposition Park are easily accessible from Interstate 110 (aka the Harbor Freeway) and the Expo Park / USC Station of the Metro E Line.

PARKING
Parking at Exposition Park on USC game days is by permit only. Short term or all-day parking is available at several locations on the USC campus.

RIDESHARE
Exposition Park allows rideshare access from Figueroa Street with drop-off and pick up along Exposition Park Drive. During larger events, a designated rideshare area is located at Vermont Avenue between Exposition Boulevard and Downey Way. After the event, exit Gate 19 or 23 and walk north of the Coliseum to Exposition and west to Vermont. NOTE: Rideshare services are prohibited from entering the Exposition Park area until 45 to 60 minutes after an event due to traffic patterns exiting the area.

The Coliseum is the home stadium of the USC Trojans football team. Established in 1888, the Trojans football program is a perennial NCAA powerhouse, claiming 11 national championships. USC boasts 14 inductees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, tied with Notre Dame for the most of any school.

Many memorable games have been played at the Coliseum over the decades - one of the greatest was USC vs. Notre Dame on Nov. 30, 1974. Known as "The Comeback," the Trojans erased a 24-point deficit and routed the defending national champion Fighting Irish 55-24.

2025 SCHEDULE
This year's Big 10 conference games at the Coliseum include:

• Michigan State (Sep. 20)
• Michigan (Oct. 11)
• Northwestern (Nov. 7)
• Iowa (Nov. 15)

On odd numbered years, the Coliseum hosts the annual rivalry game between USC and the UCLA Bruins, alternating with Rose Bowl Stadium. This year's showdown is taking place on Saturday, November 29. The winner of the rivalry game takes possession of the Victory Bell, a 295-pound brass bell from a Southern Pacific railroad locomotive.

TICKETS
Single game tickets, premium seating and group packages (20+ people) are available at the USC Football website.

The exclusive VIP Game Day Experience includes a Video Board Message, Photo on the Field, the Ultimate Trojan Fan Experience, Run with the Team and 4th Quarter Experience.

Tailgating is as much a part of the college football experience as the game itself, and USC offers several options.

ON-CAMPUS TAILGATING
Picnic-style tailgating takes place on campus lawns—not in parking lots. You’ll pay to park in designated lots and hand-carry all supplies to your reserved spot on foot. Tailgate spaces must be reserved at least three weeks before game day. Tailgating begins six hours before kickoff and tear-down must be done by game time.

TROJAN FAMILY GAME DAY EXPERIENCE
Fans of all ages are invited to the Trojan Family Game Day Experience, a family-friendly, on-campus tailgate that is FREE and open to the public. Centrally located in Alumni Park, families are welcome to enjoy the outdoor screens showing live games, and relax in comfort with tables, chairs, and a wide array of food and beverages (non-alcoholic soft drinks, wine, beer) available for purchase with a credit or debit card (no cash sales). NOTE: outside food and beverage is not permitted.

THE COLISEUM SOUTH LAWN
The South Lawn West is open to the public six hours before kickoff (first-come, first-served) for picnicking only - no vehicles or open flames allowed. The field closes at kickoff.

MODELO ULTIMATE TAILGATE
Located east of the Coliseum on Christmas Tree Lane, the Modelo Ultimate Tailgate is a FREE area that offers interactive games, music, TVs showing other live games, giveaways and more. Fans of all ages are welcome to enjoy food trucks, beer gardens, DJs and photo ops. Opens four hours before kickoff.

LEVEL UP BY BANDAI NAMCO
Open to all ages, Level Up by Bandai Namco is open for LAFC matches, BMO Stadium concerts and other Exposition Park-related events. Overlooking the Coliseum entryway, Level Up features a combination of free and pay-to-play Pac-Man themed arcade games, casual dining and full bar.

The Coliseum Historic Tours are offered on Mondays and Tuesdays at 10am and 1pm. The 75-minute walking tour includes the elegant Founders Suites and breathtaking views of the LA skyline from the 1923 Club rooftop deck atop the Scholarship Club Tower. Guests will have a special opportunity to experience the game day of an athlete, spending time in the locker room and running through the Player’s Tunnel onto the playing field. The tour ends inside the classic seating bowl, following in the footsteps of the world’s greatest athletes and entertainers to the iconic Peristyle; walking under the Coliseum Torch and absorbing the historical impact of those enshrined in the Coliseum Court of Honor. Photos and videos are welcome!

Along with the Coliseum concessions, there's a global range of dining options near Exposition Park, including:

• 23rd Street Cafe - Enjoy brunch from a menu of Indian, Mexican and American comfort foods; and cross-cultural fusion faves including chicken tikka and chana saag burritos.
• Bacari West Adams - This Venetian-inspired USC student staple also serves boozy brunches on weekends, including potato bureka, tofu scramble, and egg, vegan, or margherita pizza.
• Caveman Kitchen - Wood-fired rotisserie chicken meets fresh and flavorful, meat-heavy Latin-inspired dishes, with favorites including Pollo Al Mojo, Lomo Saltado and Bistec Criollo.
• Ebaes - Discover inventive new ways to enjoy social dining at this Asian fusion standout serving daringly spicy dishes with sake, soju and home-brewed teas.
• Everytable - Culturally diverse meals reflect the surrounding community, including scratch-cooked dishes like Kalua Pork, Southern Shrimp & Grits, and Chicken Shawarma.
• Holbox - Located at Mercado La Paloma, the Michelin-starred Holbox features Gilberto Cetina's seafood from coastal Mexico that showcases SoCal and Baja California ingredients.
• Tire Shop Taqueria - A true hidden gem, Tire Shop Taqueria sets up in a parking lot and serves some of the best carne asada tacos in the city.

The landmark Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena has hosted five Super Bowls, gold medal matches for two Summer Olympics, two FIFA World Cup Finals, superstar concerts and the annual college football game for which it’s named. Rose Bowl Stadium will host the Men's and Women's Soccer Semifinals and Finals during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Known as “The Granddaddy of Them All,” the Rose Bowl Game is the oldest of America's college football postseason bowl games, first played as the "Tournament East–West football game" at Tournament Park on Jan. 1, 1902 and played annually on or near New Year's Day since 1916. The Rose Bowl is one of the New Year's Six, which hosts the quarter- and semifinals of the expanded College Football Playoff.

LOCATION
Rose Bowl Stadium is located in the Arroyo Seco area of Pasadena about 10 miles northeast of Downtown LA, accessed via the 110 Freeway.

Nearby cultural attractions include the Gamble House, The Huntington, Kidspace Museum, Norton Simon Museum and USC Pacific Asia Museum. Fans of La La Land can stroll the Colorado Street Bridge just like Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

PARKING
Parking passes on the Brookside Golf Course and Lot H are on sale for UCLA home games. Lot H is first-come, first-served until the lot is full.

Off-site parking is available at the Parsons Engineering Complex in Old Town Pasadena. A free shuttle takes passengers to and from Lot B/Gate B at the Rose Bowl. The Parsons lot is conveniently located a half-mile from the Memorial Park Station of the Metro Rail A Line.

RIDESHARE
All rideshare services must drop-off and pick up at the Parsons Engineering Complex.

Since 1982, Rose Bowl Stadium has been the home stadium of the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins had previously played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum since 1928. With the Oakland Raiders scheduled to move into the Coliseum at the start of the 1982 NFL season, UCLA relocated its home games to Rose Bowl Stadium. The Bruins went on to win two consecutive Rose Bowl Games in their new home stadium, along with a third in 1986. Six Bruins have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jackie Robinson will forever be remembered for breaking the Major League Baseball color barrier on April 15, 1947. As a UCLA Bruin, Robinson played quarterback and safety in 1937 and '38. His 104-yard kickoff return in 1938 is reportedly the longest in Rose Bowl Stadium history. A statue of Jackie Robinson was unveiled at Rose Bowl Stadium in November 2017, and according to officials, it's the only statue in the world that depicts Robinson in a football uniform.

2025 SCHEDULE
Big Ten conference games at the Rose Bowl include:

• Penn State (Oct. 4)
• Maryland (Oct. 18)
• Nebraska (Nov. 8)
• Washington (Nov. 22)
• @ USC (Nov. 29)

TICKETS
Single game tickets, Play Action Pass package, groups (20 minimum) and Pregame Sideline Access are available.

Parking lots open for tailgating six hours before kickoff and stay open for 90 minutes after the game. Parking lots 5B and up are grass parking lots on the West side of the Rose Bowl. Lots 1A and above are grass parking lots on the North side of the Rose Bowl. Single-game ticket holder General Parking can be purchased in advance at a discounted rate. Fans can also purchase parking on the day of the game. Parking is first-come, first-served.

• Guests must tailgate in front of or behind their vehicle only.
• Only tents 10’x10’ or smaller may be pitched in front of or behind your vehicle.
• All barbecue grills must be raised off the ground.
• No charcoal grills in the RV parking area (West Drive).
• No open flames permitted in any tailgate or parking area.

UCLA FOOTBALL FAN ZONE
Open to the public, the UCLA Football Fan Zone is one of the largest and most exciting public tailgating zones in the country! From a wide variety of exciting game day experiences such as tailgating parties, food vendors, activities, exhibits, beer gardens and much more, the Fan Zone is a must-see when attending a UCLA football game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Opens four hours before the game and closes 15 minutes prior to kickoff. Located in Lot H, just outside Gates A & B, along Rosemont Avenue and Arroyo Boulevard.

Public Tours of Rose Bowl Stadium are offered at 10:30am and 12:30pm on numerous dates throughout the year. VIP and Private Group Tours are available. Highlights of the two-hour tour include:

• Original 1922 Locker Room
• UCLA and Visitor’s Locker Room
• Field
• Press Box
• Luxury Suites
• Court of Champions and more

Enjoy pre- or post-game festivities at pubs and sports bars in Old Pasadena.

• Dog Haus - Originally opened in Pasadena, the national chain touts hormone- and antibiotic-free hot dogs, sausages and burgers, all served on King's Hawaiian rolls.
• Freddie's 35er - Located on historic Route 66, the 35er has been family-owned and operated since 1963.
• Kings Row - An official bar partner of LAFC, this gastropub features 24 beers on tap, craft cocktails and 10 giant TVs.
• Lucky Baldwins - British pub with 60+ beers on tap that hosts annual events like the Belgian Beer Festival and Oktoberfest.
• Rocco's Tavern - Open-air style bar with wall-to-wall TVs and award-winning wings available in 10 to 60-piece orders.